Why Bachelor of Commerce?
Each day, our digital environment unlocks new and exciting roles in accounting. All organisations – from the smallest business to the largest multinational corporation – need accountants to manage their finances. If you enjoy working with numbers, love a challenge, and want a rewarding career with great versatility and job security, accounting may be for you.
With investments in cryptocurrency climbing, online scams on the rise, and businesses becoming more socially conscious – accounting is no longer just about the numbers. Who knows, your work may even help save the nation from an impending financial catastrophe.
Overview
Harness the power of numbers, interpret trends and gain a solid understanding of business and financial management. The Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting gives you a solid foundation in financial principles along with the technical knowledge and cultural intelligence needed to succeed across a range of diverse and fulfilling industries.
Learn about the ethical, social and environmental issues associated with accounting. Discover how to facilitate key management decisions – applying fundamental concepts of taxation law such as income tax and capital gains tax to achieve your client’s desired outcomes.
With your superb attention to detail and accounting expertise, you might investigate fraud and prepare financial reports for the government. Or you may work with an event planner to launch the next big festival, ensuring their financial objectives and expenditures are in line. Whatever you do, you can count on a career with great impact and opportunities for growth.
Key features
Develop technical accounting skills required for preparing financial reports. - Learn about the ethical, social and ecological issues involved in accounting.
- Understand the environment, theory and methodology of auditing.
- Build technical and problem-solving skills required for financial statement analysis.
- Study in state-of-the-art facilities and access data analytical tools used in professional practice.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting will help you build the fundamental accounting skills needed for preparing and using financial reports. Gain an understanding of accounting information systems, their role in organisations and how they support a company’s strategic and operational decision-making and problem-solving.
Along with foundational courses that develop your understanding of business structures, you’ll learn about the theoretical underpinnings of accounting. You’ll explore the professional judgement required; as well as the social, ethical and environmental issues associated with accounting.
Through this degree, you’ll study Core Courses that are common to all commerce degrees to give you a broad understanding of accounting principles.
Electives from a range of complementary areas including business, management and language will further enrich your knowledge.
You’ll also study courses tailored to your major, including:
- Financial accounting
- Management accounting
- Corporate accounting
- Contemporary issues in accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation.
Engage with other skillsets integral to the business sector and appreciate the intersection of accounting in a variety of corporate, social and community bodies.
Over your second and third year, you’ll develop core professional skills by completing more than 300 hours of Work Integrated Learning, where you’ll undertake placements alongside accounting professionals in your desired industry.
This degree will also expand your employability outcomes by developing your skills in strategic thinking, communication and cultural competence in a global environment.
Majors
The Bachelor of Commerce is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for Core courses, and
- 48 to 54 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 to 18 units for Electives
Complete 66 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 48 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Accounting for Decision Makers
|
Course code
ACCT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Management, Organisations and Leadership
|
Course code
BUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Analytics
|
Course code
ECON1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Predictive and Visual Analytics for Managers and Consultants
|
Course code
BUSI1009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Principles of Economics
|
Course code
ECON1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business Applications for Artificial Intelligence
|
Course code
ARTI3000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Accounting for Decision Makers
|
Course code
ACCT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Analytics
|
Course code
ECON1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Principles of Economics
|
Course code
ECON1000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 1
|
Course code
ACCT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management, Organisations and Leadership
|
Course code
BUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting Systems and Analytics
|
Course code
ACCT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 2
|
Course code
ACCT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI1001
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Predictive and Visual Analytics for Managers and Consultants
|
Course code
BUSI1009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Practicum
|
Course code
BUSI1900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Accounting and Analysis
|
Course code
ACCT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Auditing Theory and Practice
|
Course code
ACCT3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law
|
Course code
BUSI3046
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business Applications for Artificial Intelligence
|
Course code
ARTI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Clinic
|
Course code
BUSI2902
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 1
|
Course code
ACCT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Accounting Systems and Processes
|
Course code
ACCT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 2
|
Course code
ACCT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Management Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Corporate Accounting and Analysis
|
Course code
ACCT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Auditing Theory and Practice
|
Course code
ACCT3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law
|
Course code
BUSI3046
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting for Decision Makers
|
Course code
ACCT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Analytics
|
Course code
ECON1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Principles of Economics
|
Course code
ECON1000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 1
|
Course code
ACCT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management, Organisations and Leadership
|
Course code
BUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting Systems and Analytics
|
Course code
ACCT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 2
|
Course code
ACCT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI1001
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Predictive and Visual Analytics for Managers and Consultants
|
Course code
BUSI1009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Practicum
|
Course code
BUSI1900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Accounting and Analysis
|
Course code
ACCT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Auditing Theory and Practice
|
Course code
ACCT3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law
|
Course code
BUSI3046
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business Applications for Artificial Intelligence
|
Course code
ARTI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Clinic
|
Course code
BUSI2902
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Business Practicum
|
Course code
BUSI1900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business Clinic
|
Course code
BUSI2902
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting for Decision Makers
|
Course code
ACCT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Analytics
|
Course code
ECON1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Principles of Economics
|
Course code
ECON1000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 1
|
Course code
ACCT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management, Organisations and Leadership
|
Course code
BUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting Systems and Analytics
|
Course code
ACCT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 2
|
Course code
ACCT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI1001
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Predictive and Visual Analytics for Managers and Consultants
|
Course code
BUSI1009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Practicum
|
Course code
BUSI1900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Accounting and Analysis
|
Course code
ACCT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Auditing Theory and Practice
|
Course code
ACCT3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law
|
Course code
BUSI3046
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business Applications for Artificial Intelligence
|
Course code
ARTI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Clinic
|
Course code
BUSI2902
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 to 18 units for either of the following:
- 12 to 18 units from University-wide electives, or
- 12 to 18 units from Program electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Personal Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Financial Modelling
|
Course code
BAFI2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Behavioural Finance
|
Course code
BAFI2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Strategic Financial Analysis
|
Course code
BAFI2012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Alternative Investments
|
Course code
BAFI3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Wealth Management
|
Course code
BAFI3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Blockchain Crypto and Big Data
|
Course code
BAFI5018
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting for Decision Makers
|
Course code
ACCT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Finance
|
Course code
BAFI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Analytics
|
Course code
ECON1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Principles of Economics
|
Course code
ECON1000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 1
|
Course code
ACCT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management, Organisations and Leadership
|
Course code
BUSI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Accounting Systems and Analytics
|
Course code
ACCT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Financial Accounting 2
|
Course code
ACCT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Management Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI1001
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Predictive and Visual Analytics for Managers and Consultants
|
Course code
BUSI1009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Practicum
|
Course code
BUSI1900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
|
Course code
ACCT3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Accounting and Analysis
|
Course code
ACCT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Auditing Theory and Practice
|
Course code
ACCT3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law
|
Course code
BUSI3046
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Business Applications for Artificial Intelligence
|
Course code
ARTI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business Clinic
|
Course code
BUSI2902
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Embark on a rewarding journey in the world of accounting, where every number counts.
You might blend your passion for fashion with accounting, purchasing trending clothing and reselling them back to major retailers, meticulously monitoring costs and contractual agreements. You could assist a new start up business launch their latest product, tracking their expenditure and ensuring their financial goals are met. Perhaps you’ll uncover financial irregularities as a vigilant investigator, identifying and thwarting money laundering schemes.
With your essential accounting skills and the ability to make strategic decisions at a professional level, you may find work as a:
- Risk consultant
- Forensic accountant
- Management accountant
- Practising accountant
- Tax accountant
- Business adviser.
In accounting, you’ll have the chance to make a tangible impact that shapes the success and integrity of the organisations you work for.
Industry trends
The accounting profession is facing skyrocketing demand, with Australia’s annual employment growth for accountants rising by 300% in the last year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023).
Thanks to automation and the rise of artificial intelligence, the accounting sector is also undergoing a seismic shift. As these innovations become more readily available, the need for accountants who are agile problem solvers and who can employ critical thinking to forge genuine connections with their clients is paramount. Accounting processes such as data entry and bookkeeping will no longer be a distinguishing factor for employers looking to choose between candidates. Rather, they will be looking for graduates who can maximise their time and make efficient and sensible decisions. Your Adelaide University accounting degree will give you the latest knowledge and sought-after soft skills to stand out.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing at the institution in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
